SPECIFICATION No.

ETI/OHE/52 (10/84)

SPECIFICATION

FOR

INTERLOCKS FOR AC TRACTION SWITCHGEARS

No. ETI/OHE/52 (10/84)

ISSUED BY

TRACTION INSTALLATION DIRECTORATE

RESEARCH, DESIGNS & STANDARDS ORGANISATION
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MANAK NAGAR,
LUCKNOW – 226 011.
0 FOREWARD

0.1 Interlock are provided on electrical switchgear to prevent their

inadvertent operation. Interlocks do not permit the operation of the
switchgear unit the correct key is provided and trapped in the
equipment.

0.2 Need for a specification for the interlocks was long felt. To
ensure interchangeability of interlocks of different makes, some
dimensions have been standardised.

0.3 This specification is issued under the fixed number system. Its
future revisions shall also be issued under the same number. The
month and year of issue are given the parentheses.

0.4 Reference has been made to the following Indian Standards and
other specifications in this specification:

i RDSO spec. No. Specification for hot dip galvanisation of steel

ETI/OHE/33 (4/84) masts (rolled and fabricated) tubes and fittings
used on 25 kV ac OHE.
ii IS: 2629-1966 Recommended practice for hot dip galvanising
of iron and steel.
iii IS: 2633-1972 Methods of testing uniformity of zinc coating
on zinc coated articles.
iv IS:6745-1972 Methods for determination of weight of zinc
coating on zinc coated iron and steel articles.

1. SCOPE:

1.1 This specification lays down requirements for the interlocks

used for mechanical interlocking of operating mechanisms of the
switchgears used in traction installations. It prevents the operation of
the switchgear unless correct key is used. It also ensures their
operation in correct sequence for ensuring their operation in correct
sequence for ensuring safety of the equipment and personnel.

1.2 Each interlock shall be supplied with minimum two numbers of

keys.
1.3 Any modification, alternative designs, or changes, calculated to
improve the performance and reliability of interlocks shall be given
due consideration if full particulars of the alternative design are
furnished with full technical justification.

2.0 SERVICE CONDITIONS:

2.1 The looks are intended to be used out-doors with 25 kV and

132 k+V isolators. The locks, with some changes/extensions, are also
sued with circuit breaker and interrupters. The locks are used in
normally polluted atmosphere subjected to dust, amok and effluents
from chemical plants etc.

2.2 Atmospheric conditions

i)
Maximum temperature of air in the shade ------ 450 C
ii) Maximum temperature of air in the shade ------ 00 C
iii) Maximum temperature when object
exposed to sun ------ 650 C
iv) Daily ambient temperature ------ 350 C
v) Maximum relative humidity ------ 100%
vi) Maximum wind pressure ------ 150 kgf/m-2
vii) Average ------ 1750 to
6250mm
viii) Number of thunder storm day per annum ------ 85 days
ix) Ice coating ------ Nil

3 DEFINITIONS
3.1 Bolt type interlock

Locks in which the rotation of key causes linear movement of a

bolt, which may engage in a hole in the equipment, is called bolt type
interlock and is provided on the isolator.

3.2 Castel type lock.

Lock in which the rotation of key causes rotation of the shaft,

which may have a genove (s) or an extension to engage with the
equipment, are called castel type interlocks.
4. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
4.1 construction

The construction of locks shall be as per clause 5.

4.2 Dimensions

The housing of the interlock shall be either hot dip galvanised

or nickel-chremium plated. Other components shall also be corrosion
resistant.

4.4 Endurance test:

The locks shall be suitable for minimum of 10,000 operations

without affecting their opeerating performance i.e. loss of stiffness of
the springs, development of undue play and damage to the protective
coating etc.

4.5 Application:

4.5.1 Bolt type interlocks are used on 25 kV isolators.

4.5.2 Castel type interlocks are used on 132 kV isolators.

4.5.3 Circuit breaker and interrupter manufacturers may use any type of
lock with suitable modification, but keeping the key same as that of
the lock for isolators. On circuit breakers an electrical contact (1 No+
1NC) shall also be provided for electrical contacts shall be as per
IS:6375 (Pt. I)- 1973.

4.6 Drawings:
Manufacturers shall prepare detailed assemby and component
drawings of the interlocks. The drawings shall show all dimensions
and material specifications of all components. The material shall, as
far as possible, be specified in accordance with the relevant Indian
Standards specification. The drawings shall be got approved form
Gentral Organisation for Railway Electrification before taking up the
manufacture of prototypes.
4.7 Prototypes:

Bulk manufacture shall be taken up only after successful

completion of type tests, in the presence of representatives of Central
Organisation for Railway Electrification, before taking up the
manufacture of prototypes.

5. CONSTRUCTION:
5.1 The construction of the locks shall be generally as per the
drawing in Annexure-I (See Cl. 1.3).

5.2 The lock shall be of robust construction.

5.3 The keys shall be non-interchangeable.

5.4 Key-code shall be provided in relief on the key and shall match
with similar embossing on the lock, to enable in interlocking.
All keys codes shall be different in every lot.

5.5 The projection required to trap the key in the lock shall be of
sufficient height and strength and shall not wear out after 5000
operations.

5.6 The complete housing as well as key shall be hot dip

galvaniced, or nickel- chromium plated.

5.7 All internal levers/mechanism shall be of non-ferrous material

or of stainless steel.

5.8 The locks should be of rivetted construction.

6 TESTS
6.1 Type tests:

a) Examination of assembly - (Cl. 7.1)

b) Verification of dimensions - (Cl. 7.2)
c) Endurance test - (Cl. 7.3)
d) Galvanising test - (Cl. 7.4)
e) Non- interchgebility - (Cl. 7.5)
 Each test shall be conducted on at least 3 samples. The tests
shall be conducted by central Organisation for Railway
Electrification.

6.2 Acceptance tests.

6.2.1 Sample size: Locks be offered for inspection in lots containing
not more than 200 looks of one type. Samples for acceptance tests
shall be selected at random form the lot offered for inspection in
accordance with the Table-1.

Table-1: SCALE OF SAMPLING AND PERMISSIBLE NUMBER

OF DEFECTIVE LOCKS.

Lot Size Sample size Permissible number of

(N) defectives.
Up to 100 15 1
101 to 200 20 2

6.2.2 The following tests shall be conducted on the samples:

a) Examination of assembly (all samples) – (Cl 7.1)
b) Verification of dimension ( ) - (Cl 7.2)
c) Endurance test (on one sample) - (Cl 7.3)
d) Non- interchangeability test (N/2 samples)

6.3 Boating test (to be conducted by the purchaser’s inspector).

6.4 Operation test ---- (cl 7.6)

7 TESTS METHODS.
7.1 Examination of assembly.

The assembly shall be visually examined for proper

galvanising/ electroplating, key code, smooth operation and electrical
contacts etc.

7.2 Verification of dimensions.

The assembly shall be checked dimensionally. It shall conform
to the manufacturer’s drawings approved by CORE/RDSO.
7.3 Endurance test.

The lock shall be subjected to 5000 operations. After 5000

operations, the assembly shall be functioning smoothly. The lock
shall be dismantled and inspected. No excessive wear should taken
place on any component.

NOTE: For acceptance test, only 1000 operations may be done.

7.4 Galvanising test:

Adherence of zinc coating (IS 2629-1966), uniformity of zinc

coating (IS:2633-1966) & mass of zinc coating (IS; 6745-1972) shall
be tested. These shall conform to ETI/OHE/13 (4/84).

On other types of protective coatings, the tests shall be made to

the governing Indian specification, or as indicated in the approved
drawings.

7.5 Non- interchangeability test:

Three locks from each lot shall be so selected that the codes of
keys differed from each other only slightly. These locks shall then be
tested for interchangeability. If key of any one of the locks, the whole
lot shall be rejected.

7.6 Operational tests.

This test is a routine test. 10 operations shall be performed on

the lock to ensure smooth working of lock.

8 MARKING.
8.1 Following marking shall be provided on each lock.

i) Key-codes on the handle of the key and lock body.

ii) Manufacturer’s name/emblem on the lock.
iii) Batch No. any year of manufacture on the lock.
9 PACKING

9.1 The locks shall be packed in the good quality wood castes with
spacers to prevent collision between different pieces during transport.

The following things be mentioned on the packing cases:

i) Purchase order No. and coassignee.

ii) Date of inspection and inspecting authority.
iii) Total No. of pieces.
iv) “ CONTENT FRAGINE”

Enclosure: Annexure – I.